Gilgit-Baltistan sets 7 June for assembly elections

Gilgit -- Voters in Gilgit-Baltistan will go to the polls on 7 June 2026, the region's chief election commissioner has announced, triggering the final stretch of preparations for a new assembly.

Raja Shah Baz Khan issued the notification on 11 April, confirming that polling day would fall on a Sunday under the powers granted by the Elections Act, 2017.

The election is being held in line with Article 48(1)(a) of the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018.

Caretaker government in place

The election comes after the five-year term of the previous Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly ended on 24 November 2025, leading to its dissolution . Former Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan and his cabinet were denotified following the completion of their tenure.

In line with constitutional provisions, a caretaker administration was established to oversee the transition period and ensure free and fair elections. Justice (retd) Yar Muhammad Nasir, a former judge of the Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Court, was appointed as the caretaker chief minister . He took oath on 26 November 2025 .

On 2 January 2026, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif—in his capacity as Chairman of the Gilgit-Baltistan Council—approved a 14-member caretaker cabinet, including two advisers, on the advice of the caretaker chief minister . The cabinet ministers were sworn in on 6 January 2026 by acting Governor Nazir Ahmed Advocate.

The caretaker government's key portfolios include Ghulam Abbas as Minister for Information, retired Colonel Abrar Ismail as Minister for Finance, Shabbir Mir as Spokesperson and Sajid Ali Baig as Minister for Home and Prison . The government has stated that its primary priority is to ensure transparent elections and provide full support to the election commission.

Delayed polls

The elections were originally scheduled for 24 January 2026 but were postponed indefinitely due to severe weather conditions . Political parties, including the PPP, had urged the election commission to announce new dates, noting that security and weather conditions had since improved . The polling date was later pushed further to 7 June.

The 33-seat Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly serves as the region's legislature, with 24 general seats and nine reserved for women and technocrats . The last general election was held in November 2020, when the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formed the government before later political shifts produced a coalition setup.

Next steps

The election commission has not yet released the detailed schedule for candidate nominations or the official campaign period. Copies of the polling day notification have been sent to federal and regional authorities, including the Prime Minister's Secretariat and the information department, for publication in the official gazette.

Campaigning is expected to intensify in the weeks leading up to 7 June, with major national parties likely to field candidates alongside regional groups.